Mississippi Bachelor's in Education Programs

(found programs from 8 schools)

With a high school graduation rate below national average and just 20 percent of residents holding a Bachelor's degree or higher, Mississippi is a state in need of qualified teachers. If you're interesting in becoming a teacher in Mississippi, you've come to the right place. At EducationDegree.com, we make it simple for you to find, contact and compare both online and Mississippi universities offering Bachelor's in education programs – a great first step for those interested in joining the education field. Read on to learn more about how to become a teacher in Mississippi, as well as the career outlook for teachers in Mississippi, or start exploring the featured schools on this page. We recommend reaching out to multiple schools to gather more information and help you better make a decision about the future of your education.

Earning Your Bachelor's in Education in Mississippi

The first two years of most Bachelor's in education programs offered by Mississippi universities include general education classes in English, mathematics, and social and natural sciences. During the final two years, you can expect to take classes that focus primarily on your degree concentration. Some typical degree concentrations offered by Mississippi universities include:

Elementary Education: Early Childhood or Middle School Concentration

Secondary Education with Concentrations in Biology, Chemistry, English/Language Arts, Math, Social Studies and more

Special Education

You can also choose to take classes to earn supplemental endorsements in areas as art, music and physical education. These degree concentrations and endorsements will line up with the area of education that you wish to become certified in. Towards the end of formal coursework, student teachers have the opportunity to work with an experienced educator in a classroom setting. This meets degree requirements as well as prepares the student for what to expect in future teaching endeavors.

Once you have finished your Bachelor's in education program, sometimes referred to as a teacher preparation program, you can apply for a Class A or Bachelor's level license from the Mississippi Department of Education. To qualify for this teaching license, you will need to have completed your Bachelor's degree from a nationally accredited university and pass the Praxis II Principles of Learning and Teaching Test and Praxis II Specialty Area Test.

Career Outlook for Teachers in Mississippi

For faster placement, the Mississippi Department of Education recommends considering a district with a teacher shortage. The MDOE lists critical shortage areas by county, subject and geographic area. Currently, Mississippi is reporting a shortage of teachers in the following subject areas:

Special Education

Mathematics

Biology

Chemistry

Physics

Foreign Language: French, German, Spanish

To help fill these areas, the Mississippi Department of Education offers incentive options for educators in critical shortage areas or those thinking about going into education. For example, high school students who agree to teach in a critical shortage area can receive scholarships covering tuition, fees, books, and the average cost of room and meals. The state also offers housing assistance for teachers and moving incentives.

Critical shortage areas aside, Mississippi is also expecting to a see a growth in jobs in education between now and 2020. According to the 2010 to 2020 Mississippi Occupational Employment Projections, the number of teachers in the state is expected to increase from 77,880 to 88,480 in a 10-year period, with 2,790 new teaching positions annually.

In terms of pay, Mississippi offers teacher salaries competitive with surrounding states. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in 2012, the annual mean wage of several popular teaching positions in Mississippi included:

$41,740 for elementary school teachers

$42,710 for secondary school teachers

$35,600 for special education teachers

Besides salary, Mississippi also offers benefits and incentives such as retirement, career advancement opportunities and, of course, two months of summer vacation.

If you're interested in taking the first step to becoming a teacher in Mississippi, act today! Explore the featured schools on this page, and contact several for more information about their programs. We recommend contacting several to help make the most informed decision possible about the future of your education.